Programs: UA 2MM, DL 500k, SW CP, GP 1M, HH Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 3,914
Quote:
Originally Posted by SWABrian
Firewind, those passengers handing out snacks were probably SWA Employees. It's not unusual for deadheading or nonreving Employees to help out with peanuts or snacks.
No, they asked for volunteers. And I wasn't being critical. This was a very lively crew... New jokes during the safety demonstration, contests etc. (The only one that didn't "fly" was the toilet paper one, because they didn't get enough hands.)
No, they asked for volunteers. And I wasn't being critical. This was a very lively crew... New jokes during the safety demonstration, contests etc. (The only one that didn't "fly" was the toilet paper one, because they didn't get enough hands.)
That's cool. Asking for volunteers happens some times on flights, but it isn't as common as Employees helping.
One of the best posts I have ever seen - though you are preaching to the choir here (responses from the UA forum would be interesting )
A few subtle items that were left out:
1. WN boarding policy still reasonably family friendly (almost certain to get seats together if you board after A group, assuming you didn't checkin properly) v. horror stories on other airlines about last minute seat switching, etc.
2. WN family friendly part deux: you can bring and use car seat for free for your lap child if flight isn't sold out. If it is, simply gate check car seat. UA - hit or miss, but child will probably end up on your lap.
3. WN family friendly part 3: Gate checked strollers often show up at top of ramp before you are off the plane. UA and others are very slow, sometimes even send stroller to baggage claim.
4. WN requires fat people to buy an extra seat, so you won't get squished by one (but often they can avoid the fee if the flight isn't 100% full).
5. WN - Last minute travelers (more than 24 hours out) will still have a shot a choice seat assignments (even more so if you book 36+ hours out). UA - most prime seats are taken and upgrades are long gone.
6. WN curbside baggage check - free (though tipping is a good idea).
7. WN - No schedule changes once flight is booked (at least I've never seen any. UA - Frequent changes, which sometimes require re-ticketing due to inconvenience or cancellation of segments.
8. CP - probably the most important thing left out by OP. Simply said, there is no equivalent on UA (just as their is no equivalent of F on WN). However CP can easily save you $1000 or more on leisure trips over the course of a year. Compare to UA status which may provide free upgrades. The extra comfort has a value, but it doesn't really save you money as most of us wouldn't pay the rack rate for F.
9. CP part deux - As nsx noted, all credits count towards CP status, regardless of source. On UA, you need real flight miles to earn status (with a few minor exceptions). I think this is a big plus, as there is no way I would have earned a CP without the Chase bonuses.
A few things were overstated.
Obviously fares are not always lower on WN - something that has changed over time. I could pick a similar example where SFO-LAS or SFO-LAX is cheaper on UA (for the times I want) than WN.
International award tix are not always difficult to obtain, in fact UA forum reports good availability for Europe right now. I would agree about Australia, but I could find similar peak dates/flights on WN where RR are not available.
Obviously fares are not always lower on WN - something that has changed over time. I could pick a similar example where SFO-LAS or SFO-LAX is cheaper on UA (for the times I want) than WN.
That's very true as I've been surprised at times when comparing WN's fares to those of other airlines. However with that said, if WN is in a particular market you can rest assured that fares aren't going to be completely out of control. They keep pressure on the other airlines to make fares reasonable. For example, I have a choice in September take one of my committees at work to LGA or BWI for a meeting.
DFW-LGA (no WN) - $664 RT
DFW-BWI (WN out of DAL) - $250 RT
I'm sure I could come up with 100 other examples but you get the point.
__________________
2009 WAS supposed to be our year! Now waiting until 2010 GO CUBS!
Programs: NW Silver, CO Silver, AA, Wyndham ByRequest
Posts: 260
Quote:
Originally Posted by FCfree
Seating: Southwest: One seat (12F) with the most legroom of any coach seat on any US (maybe worldwide) carrier.
Ha! There are exit rows and bulkhead seats on a number of planes across a number of carriers that match or exceed 12F. Most do so without having someone diagonally in front of you as well.
Ha! There are exit rows and bulkhead seats on a number of planes across a number of carriers that match or exceed 12F. Most do so without having someone diagonally in front of you as well.
You've piqued my curiosity. Might you share some examples?
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, HHonors, Amex MR; Browns, Cavs, Indians, and Buckeyes Season Ticket Holder
Posts: 1,603
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boraxo
7. WN - No schedule changes once flight is booked (at least I've never seen any. UA - Frequent changes, which sometimes require re-ticketing due to inconvenience or cancellation of segments.
i've had one happen, although it wasn't a big deal. was booked on a crack of dawn NS CMH-STL, and it got canceled about 2 months before the flight (I was at target, and got this weird call from a 214 area code). switched to a CMH-MDW-STL flight that left a couple hours later, which helped me avoid a hangover following this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvHRjDA6fTg.
back on topic, there was a blogpost a while ago, where they said the reason that they don't post their schedule further in advance is to avoid having to make many more cancellations.
You've piqued my curiosity. Might you share some examples?
I can think of a couple off the top of my head, 9C on a UA 757. There is one seat on a PS 757 that has something like 10 feet of legroom. The others, 10C and 10H on a NW A330. Again, you have to pay extra since these are exit seats, or in the regular UA 757 case, it's in E+.
One thing I don't think anyone has brought up is the A list. That's the best thing WN rolled out in November. The CP is nice, the no change fees are awesome, but the A list is the best thing, especially with early morning flights!
)
GO CUBS!
